Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is obviously not the most popular person in China. But his recent criticism of China’s system of patriotic education has won him some support - amid angry responses - from Chinese netizens. They say Abe is right.

“Encouraging anti-Japanese sentiment helps distract the Chinese from the country's real problems”, commented a blogger on news website Netease, “ Now it’s an open secret, its time [for the government] to use a new trick. “

This single comment was ‘'liked' 6,635 times by Netease readers on Friday.

“How many Chinese did the Japanese kill? And how many Chinese were killed in political upheaval in China? And who should pay for their deaths?” asked one blogger, in a reference to 20th century Sino-Japanese history.

Despite netizens agreeing with Abe, an overwhelming number lashed out at his remarks.

“Abe, please tell me has Japan ever apologised for its war crimes committed in China?,” said a blogger.

“China’s anti-Japanese education is far from adequate,” said another.

Abe became Japan’s prime minister for a second time in December. He has promised a tougher diplomatic stance against Beijing.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated during the past months following territorial disputes over the Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus, in Japan.